Landscaping Rules in Hayward, CA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Hayward, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Hayward requires 14 feet of vertical clearance over streets and 8 feet over sidewalks. Hillside homes must clear branches 10 feet from chimneys.
Hayward Tree Trimming Rules
Some RestrictionsCal. Pub. Res. Code sec. 4291 (Defensible space - 100 ft clearance; tree trimming)
(1) (A) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line, except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary shall consider the flammability of the structure as affected by building material, building standards, location, and type of vegetation. Fuels shall be maintained and spaced ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing, relocating, or severely pruning any Protected Tree in Hayward, native species over 4 inches in diameter, street trees, or large non-native trees, requires a city permit under Section 10-15.21. The Planning Director grants it only after making the findings in Section 10-15.22, and replacement trees or in-lieu fees are mandatory.
Hayward Protected Tree Removal Permits
Some RestrictionsHayward, CA Municipal Code Sec. 10-15.21 (Permits and Replacement Requirements)
(1)A permit is required to perform any of the following actions on Protected Trees described in Section 10-15.14:a.Tree removal.b.Routine maintenance for Memorial and Heritage trees.c.Any extreme root or branch pruning that is not consistent with standard arboriculture practices for a healthy tree, including pollarding, topping, lion-tailing, or severe pruning.d.Removal of the bark around the c...
Weed Ordinances
Hayward inspects properties annually for overgrown weeds and abates non-compliant parcels at owner expense with a lien.
Hayward Weed Abatement Program
Some RestrictionsCal. Food & Agric. Code sec. 5004 (Noxious weed - definition)
Stats. 1967, Ch. 15. ) 5004. "Noxious weed" means any species of plant that is, or is liable to be, troublesome, aggressive, intrusive, detrimental, or destructive to agriculture, silviculture, or important native species, and difficult to control or eradicate, which the director, by regulation, designates to be a noxious weed. In determining whether or not a species shall be designated a noxio...
Water Restrictions
Hayward customers are served by EBMUD or SFPUC. Both impose outdoor watering limits and enforce permanent waste prohibitions year-round.
Hayward Water Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsCal. Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (23 CCR sec. 490 et seq. - MWELO)
New development and retrofitted landscape water efficiency standards are governed by the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) . The MWELO is also referenced by Title 24, Part 11, Chapters 4 and 5 CalGreen Building Code. All local agencies must adopt, implement, and enforce the MWELO or a local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) that is at least as effective as the MWELO. Us...
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is encouraged. Rain barrels up to 5,000 gallons are permit-exempt under California Rainwater Capture Act.
Hayward Rainwater Harvesting
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Water Code Part 2.4, Sections 10570-10574 (Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, AB 1750)
PART 2.4. Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 10570. This part shall be known, and may be cited, as the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012. 10571. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) As California has grown and developed, the amount of stormwater flowing off buildings, parking lots, roads, and other impervious surfaces into surface water streams, flood channels, and storm sewers h...
Native Plants
Hayward supports native and drought-tolerant landscaping. New projects must comply with the state Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
Hayward Native Plant Landscaping
Some RestrictionsCal. Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (23 CCR sec. 490 et seq. - MWELO)
New development and retrofitted landscape water efficiency standards are governed by the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) . The MWELO is also referenced by Title 24, Part 11, Chapters 4 and 5 CalGreen Building Code. All local agencies must adopt, implement, and enforce the MWELO or a local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) that is at least as effective as the MWELO. Us...
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf is allowed at Hayward single-family homes. California AB 1572 and Civil Code 4735 protect turf choices in HOAs.
Hayward Artificial Turf Rules
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 4735
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a provision of the governing documents or architectural or landscaping guidelines or policies shall be void and unenforceable if it does any of the following: (1) Prohibits, or includes conditions that have the effect of prohibiting, the use of low water-using plants as a group or as a replacement of existing turf. (2) Prohibits, or includes conditions that ha...
Composting
Hayward residents may compost their own yard trimmings at home without running that material through the city's trash franchise. Municipal Code Sec. 5-1.26 lists on-site composting of yard trimmings on a residential premises as one of the specific exceptions to the rule that only the city's authorized hauler may handle solid waste.
Hayward On-Site Yard Trimmings Composting Rule
Few RestrictionsHayward, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 5-1.26(h) (Limitations to Franchisee's Scope of Services)
It is unlawful for any Person other than the Franchisee or those persons employed by the Franchisee to haul any Solid Waste within the City except: ... h.On-Site Composting of Yard Trimmings Composted on a Residential Premises.
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Hayward city rules.
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